Churchill Stakes Preview (Southwell Fri 28th Nov 2025)

Churchill Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It was run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres). From 2000-2023 it was run at at Lingfield Park in November. However as part of the policy of running down and diminishing the racing programme at Lingfield Park, from 2024 the race moved to Newcastle Racecourse. In 2025 the race has switched again to the Nottinghamshire track at Southwell over longer distance. Given Sir Winston Churchill's links to the area surrounding Lingfield - his residence at Chartwell and his stud at West Park Road Newchapel, on the outskirts of Lingfield village, less than two miles from Lingfield Park - it is a disgrace that this race was now been moved twice in two years . However, Arena Racing Corporation know best.

BetUK Churchill Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) Winner £28,355 5 runners 1m3f23y Standard ITV4 (STALLS Inside)

race conditions  £50,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo colts & geldings 9st; fillies 8st 9lb 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 4lb; fillies 8st 13lb Penalties  after March 31st, 2025, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 7lb Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 4lb Entries  11 pay £250 Penalty value  1st  £28,355.00 2nd  £10,750.00 3rd  £5,380.00 4th  £2,680.00 5th  £1,345.00

Disappointing turn out for Churchill Stakes with four runners going to post, though not a surprise with Arena Leisure continuing to mess about with these All Weather fixtures, why they have to keep switching these races to different courses is anyones guess. The race should have never been moved from Lingfield Park in my opinion .

 .

The William Haggas 7-Y-0 globetrotter  DUBAI HONOUR  , looks sure go well taking big drop in class,having finished creditable second on his last two starts in group one company in Germany & France .Had previously won in G1 company in Australia in April. Lightly raced on All Weather, though did win the Magnolia Listed stakes at Kempton back in 2024.Also finished unlucky second in this race last year, when getting badly hampered behind The Foxes.Has to carry 7lb G1 penalty ,though is the class act, being four time group one winner .Odds 9-4 look very fair value in what looks match .

The progressive 4-Y-0 SHADER is the big danger, having bolted up by 9L in Floodlit Listed stakes at Kempton earlier this month .Has unbeaten record on All Weather 3 out 3, including winning Novice Stakes by 7L here at Southwell last season .Looks open to further improvement on All Weather, also receives 4lb from Dubai Honour, though will still need career best to beat Dubai Honour.Odds around 4-7 look incredibly short.

ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT  is consistent sort , finished second in G2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket last season , though normally comes up short in listed/group company 0-9 .Won small conditions race at Goodwood in September , though well beaten in listed company last time at Newmarket .Lightly raced on All Weather , though still has fair bit to find on his overall form .

VERDICT : (1) DUBAI HONOUR (2) SHADER (3) ROYAL PLAYRIGHT 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DUBAI HONOUR 2.40 SOUTHWELL CHURCHILL STAKES 

1PT WIN @ 9-4 PADDY POWER & SKYBET 

(WINNER SP 5-2 PROFIT +2.50 )

RESULT : 1ST DUBAI HONOUR 5-2 2ND SHADER 4-9F 3RD ROYAL PLAYRIGHT 16-1